The Savon Tooth-o-Pedia:  Glossary of Dental Definitions

(Click on a term to see its full definition)

Calculus

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Calculus is calcified plaque

Canal; dental

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A relatively narrow tubular passage or channel

Canal; Mandibular

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The space which houses the nerves that supply blood flow and feeling to your lower jaw and teeth.

Canal; root

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Space inside the root portion of a tooth containing pulp tissue

Cantilever Extension

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Part of a fixed prosthesis that is supported at only one end.

Caries

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Caries is the dental term for tooth decay

Carious

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Carious is relating to having tooth decay

Cavity

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Cavity is a hollowed out area

Cement

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Cement is a mixture that holds things together

Cephalometric Radiograph

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A cephalometric radiograph is an x-ray of the head

Cleft Palate

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Congenital deformity resulting in lack of fusion of the soft and/or hard palate; either partial or complete.

Clenching

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Complete series of x-rays

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Complete series of x-rays in dentistry means usually 18-20 individual x-rays

Composite filling

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A composite filling is a tooth colored filling

Compound Fracture

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Break in a bone which exposed to external contamination

Consultation

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A meeting with the dentist or dental staff to consult on dental questions or treatments.

Contiguous

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Adjacent; touching

Coping

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the sub structure of the inside of a crown or fabricated restoration.

Core Buildup

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Procedure done in preparation or in conjunction with a crown or bridge to give the tooth/teeth back structural integrity.

Coronal

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The top part of a tooth

Crown Lengthening

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Procedure to remove gum tissues to expose more of the tooth structure.

Crown; Artificial

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Fabricated restoration that replaces a previously damaged clinical crown of a tooth.

Crown; Clinical

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The portion of the tooth not covered by tissues.

Curettage

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Scraping and cleaning the walls of a cavity or gigival pocket.

Cusp

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A pointy part of the tooth.

Cuspid

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A single cusped tooth

Cyst

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Pathological cavity, usually lined with epithelium, containg fluid or soft matter